Fair act revs up performers, audiences
"Reckless" Rene Regimbal is amazing Columbia County fairgoers by speeding his motorcycle up to 55 mph inside a 24-foot-diameter Wall of Death.
Regimbal, 36, has been balancing himself on his Honda CB 125 Enduro while it travels along the vertical planks of a 15-foot-tall barrel for 20 years. He has endured g-force equal to three times his body weight over the decades alongside his partner, known only as Handlebars Hank.
Handlebars has been traveling with the wall to fairs and other events across the country for 46 years.
"It is the adrenaline and the smile on a child's face when they see it," Regimbal said about why he endangers his life several times a day while performing the daring stunts. "This is something they won't forget."
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Regimbal, Steve MacGiver and Justin "The Jester" Horton are performing up to 15 12-minute shows each day during the Columbia County Fair, he said. The team travels as much as nine months of the year before retreating back home to Montreal.
The Wall of Death crew assemble the circular track used in the performance. A motorcycle rider will race around the vertical surface, held in place only by centrifugal force.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The Wall of Death is one of two motorcycle featured acts at this year's fair.
"It is just something you just don't see everywhere you go at every fair," said James Graybeal, exposition manager for Drew Exposition, which is operating the fair's midway. "It is almost a thing of the past. It really is something to see."
The motorcycle shows are popular attractions, Graybeal said.
The Fearless Flores are testing the limits of their dirt bikes in the Globe of Death, where Jonathan Callegos and Ricardo Flores ride inside the round metal cage at the same time.
The team will perform two weekday thrilling ariel shows and three on the weekend, Flores said, who has been performing the show since he was 14-years-old.
The fair runs through Saturday at the Columbia County fairgrounds on Columbia Road. Operating hours are from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to midnight Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday; and beginning 1 p.m. Sunday.
Today: Church Bulletin Day - bring a church bulletin per person and receive $1 off of admission
Monday: Seniors Night - gate admission for patrons age 55 or older is $2
Tuesday: Student Night - Gate admission is $2 for students
Wednesday: Sponsor Night - All gate admission is $3 for fair sponsors
Thursday: Georgia Agricultural Night - free milk and peanuts while supplies last
Saturday: Kids Day - all rides are free from 11 a.m. to noon with a two-for-one ride special from noon to 3 p.m. Followed by the Rabbit Judging Contest at 6 p.m.